“We get contracted year upon year. They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, a bit raw about it.

“It’s done via a process of a phone call and stuff. I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I’m very proud of the whole show. It’s a great team. I’m disappointed. It’s very hard to talk about. It’s a recent decision.”

Brendan continued: “I’ve always known this day would come. To get to this point, the BBC make the decisions year upon year. It’s an editorial decision. I’m sure I’ll never know the ins and outs. I’m a very strong character within the show, I have my strong views.

“I feel like I’ve made a massive difference to the show. Even though the show has a different team, I will always be one of the ones who was part of the journey who got it to where it is today. And to not be a part of that is hard.”

The dancer insisted he will, however, continue to tune in to support his friends on the show.

“It’s going to be hard for me to watch,” he admitted. “But I’m a fan of the show and the show comes first. They’ve made the decision and I respect it completely – I don’t like it very much – but I still want to support my friends. I’m a strong character in the show and they won’t have that anymore. No one will argue with the judges.”

Brendan received the upsetting news about his departure last week, but kept it to himself until today. He explained: “I literally told the pros about 10 minutes ago. I couldn’t say it. My heart has been racing since I came on the show to tell you yesterday.”

Looking towards the future, Brendan said: “It opens up a world of possibilities that I haven’t had before. I’m excited about the future but I’m nervous about it.”

Warning: This article contains topics that some readers may find distressing Carol Vorderman has opened up about how depression caused by the menopause left her feeling suicidal. The former Countdown… read more

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Warning: This article contains topics that some readers may find distressing

Carol Vorderman has opened up about how depression caused by the menopause left her feeling suicidal.

The former Countdown star appeared on Lorraine this morning (Wednesday May 10) to talk about her struggles with menopausal depression. Carol revealed she didn’t have the typical menopause symptoms and so assumed she could get over her low period by powering on and working on other projects. However, the presenter soon developed severe depression, which she described as a consuming “blackness”.

Carol explained: “This was a blackness where I would wake up and I would feel I don’t see the point in carrying on. There was no reason to feel that way. Nothing else was going wrong. I am a very lucky women.

“The only reason I didn’t do anything is because I have two children. I would lie there for weeks and I would just want this feeling to stop and would do anything to make it stop. If it wasn’t for my children I suspect we wouldn’t be talking today. I was in the blackest black.”

The 56-year-old had not realised the depression was caused by menopause until analysing her electronic calendar. Carol discovered she was particularly low for two weeks of every month, which was in line with her menstrual cycle.

She told host Lorraine Kelly: “I booked to see a professor who deals with hormones and he gave me these gels which you put on your arm every day. From the moment I took them I never felt that way again. I still get angry and upset but there’s a reason for all those things but there wasn’t before.”

The former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Outta Here! contestant concluded her interview by stressing the importance of openly discussing menopausal depression. She said: “It’s so important we do talk about it. I really feel for women who are going through it. This was just an hormonal unbalance. We should be talking about it. People need to get help.”

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UK’s first pregnant man admits he has received death threats in Lorraine interview

The UK’s first pregnant male has opened up about the shocking abuse he has received in an honest interview on Lorraine.

Hayden Cross’ assigned gender was female when he was first born. However, he began transitioning to become the male he identified as at the age of 17.

Although Hayden is now legally male, the former Asda worker decided to postpone his transition in order to get pregnant and have a biological child before it was too late.

In an interview on this morning’s Lorraine, Hayden explained: “It’s quite scary, but I’m happy I’m going to have a biological kid. I wanted my eggs frozen. Not everyone wants kids when they’re young.”

However, the 20-year-old could not have contemplated the backlash he would receive for going ahead with the pregnancy. Hayden confessed to the host how he had received numerous death threats after publicising his decision to birth a child.

He admitted: “I’ve had death threats, and people threatening to beat me up. I’ve taken a year out of my treatment for this.”

Hayden also revealed how he was forced to find a sperm donor on Facebook as he was unable to receive help with the NHS.

“Basically I found a sperm donor on Facebook. I found someone on there, spoke to them for a few days and went from there.

“They came to my house, came into a cup and then I did it myself. I don’t even know their name.”

Speaking about his transition, Hayden told Lorraine how he had come to terms with his male identity just three years ago.

“I didn’t realise I was trans till I was 17. When I turned 17, I met my group of friends and that’s when I realised. I came out and I’ve been a lot happier since.

“I’ve always wanted to be able to have my own family. My mum’s been really supportive.

Speaking about how he would explain his transition and pregnancy to his child in the future, Hayden concluded: “When the baby grows, I’ll sit it down and explain and talk to it. I want it to know, I hope it will be open minded like me.”